We are now 957 women and 31 circles in 10 states!
Circle Formation Continues
Over the summer and early fall, we welcomed new circles in Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Arizona and California. Back on the East Coast, three new Washington, D.C., area Circles formed plus an additional Circle in New York. 30 more Circles are in the pipelines with specific plans to expand in Wisconsin and Nebraska soon. Momentum is building.
Popular Topics for this Fall
In the September and October months alone this fall, there were a dozen Circle meetings!
Poverty was a popular topic among circles this season, with the Ohio Circle, Elective Courses in Indianapolis, Ladies of the City Circle in Chicago, North Indianapolis Circle, and The Beltway-based DC/NoVA Circle all discussing the topic using the Poverty Brief, and the Mini-Brief on Poverty.
Policy Circle Map from www.thepolicycircle.org – we are coast to coast!
Liberty Circle in Illinois met over The Policy Circle’s brief on American Foreign Policy and the Middle East.
Libertas Circle in St. Louis kicked off its introductory meeting hosted by new Circle Leaders Jane C. and Tammy W. Later in the month, they also hosted an event on innovation in education, with a screening of the documentary “Most Likely to Succeed.”
The Chicago Circle met to talk about healthcare, using both the Healthcare Brief and the new 2016 Healthcare Update companion piece focusing on the current state of Obamacare.
Rose Friedman Society in Illinois met to discuss The Policy Circle’s new brief, “The U.S. House of Representatives, Explained,” a timely brief for conversation as we rapidly approach the 2016 election.
Policy Circle NYC held an Election Special meeting to “debate three key topics central to the upcoming Presidential Elections: the Economy, Education, and Foreign Policy (TPP). Using data-driven resources from ReclaimNY, Politifact, No Labels, the Thomas Fordham Institute, and Citizen.org, we sought to continually remove the politics from stated policies and focus on facts.”
Last, the new McLean Circle in Northern Virginia met for the first time at Circle Leader Danica A.’s home. The group had a wide-ranging discussion, talking about members’ individual views on limited government, free enterprise, and Adam’s Smith’s idea that capitalism is ultimately a moral force because everyone acting in their own self-interest ultimately benefits the whole, among other topics. Members also “noted that the media portrays capitalism negatively, but that it has lifted more people out of poverty than any other system and money provides security to those who work for it.”
Policy Circle Co-Founders Kathy, Sylvie and Angela with Jennifer Thompson and Nina Easton at Women’s Influence & Liberty Conference
Make sure to post a summary of your next Circle Meeting to keep us all up to date on your latest conversations!
New in The Policy Circle Library
Over the past month, briefs on Civic Engagement, The U.S. House of Representatives and Healthcare 2016, which provides an update on Obamacare, were added to the Year of Conversation Library of Policy Briefs. Keep checking the Library for future additions — upcoming briefs Immigration and the U.S. Senate to be released soon.
Womens Influence & Liberty Conference
A highlight of the fall was the inaugural Womens Influence & Liberty Conference co-hosted by The Policy Circle and the Center for the Study of Liberty, featuring Fortune’s Nina Easton. More than 120 women attended and 95% of attendees surveyed would like to attend again. Click here for a recap and stay tuned for news on next year’s conference. Plans are underway!
